494 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



moved from the foot-bath, to all feet that have required deep cutting, 

 not only for the purpose of protecting the sensitive tissue from becom- 

 ing bruised, but in order that particles of dirt may be kept from the 

 raw surfaces and that nature may be assisted in the formation of new 

 protective coverings. 



It sometimes happens that the disease assumes an aggravated form 

 in several of the sheep, involving the deeper sensitive tissues and neces- 

 sitating the application of hand dressings to the feet. In such cases 

 all the loose and diseased tissue should be cut away and the affected 

 parts washed thoroughly with a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid. 

 An antiseptic astringent powder, consisting of 4 parts of carbolic acid, 

 2 parts of tannic acid, and 94 parts of exsiccated alum, is then dusted 

 upon the ulcerated surfaces and a bandage applied to alford the parts 

 the desired amount of protection. 



The most earnest efforts should be made to conquer the disease be- 

 fore the advent of warm weather, as it will be found more difficult to 

 deal with during that period. On the contrary, cold weather and dry 

 seasons are unfavorable for the development or spread of the disease, 

 although they will not cure it. 



STOMACH WORMS (HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS) IN SHEEP. 



By B. H. Ransom. Chief of the Division of Zoology, U. ^'. Department 



of Agriculture. 



The stomach worm of sheep, known to zoologists as Haemonclms 

 Contortus, is generally recognized as one of the most serious pests with 

 which the sheep raiser has to contend. Sheep of all ages are subject 

 to infection, and cattle and goats as well as various wild ruminants 

 may also harbor the parasite. The most serious effects of stomach- 

 worm infection are seen in lambs, while full-grown sheep, although heav- 

 ily infested, may show no apparent symptoms of disease. It is from 

 these, however, through the medium of the pasture, that the lambs be- 

 come infected. 



SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS. 



Among the symptoms which have been described for stomach-worm 

 disease prohably the most frequent are anemia, loss of flesh, general weak- 

 ness, dullness, capricious appetite, thirst, and diarrhea. The anemic 

 condition is seen in the paleness of the skin and mucous mem- 

 branes of the mouth and eye, and in the watery swellings which often 

 develop under the lower jaw. A more certain diagnosis may be made 

 by killing one of the flock and opening the fourth stomach. The contents 

 of the fourth stomach are allowed to settle gently, and by carefully 

 watching the liquid the parasites, if present in any considerable num- 

 bers, will be seen actively wriggling about like little snakes from one- 

 half to IVi inches long and about as thick as an ordinary pin. 



